Volume 15 Issue 4 by The Messenger

the messenger

i tn

a of the year p. 19

VOL 15/ ISS 4

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EDITORS-IN-CHIEF

STAFF

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Maggie Brenan Tarun Ramesh

PUBLICATION

NEWS EDITOR

Katie Armstrong Grace Chung Megan Cistulli Shashank Ganeshan Aniruddha Gupta Sarah Jang Suchita Kumar Lina Levitt Sherry Liang Ben Minder Akshay Nair Alex Perry Sruti Sajja Erin Shin Jennah Sooknanan Ramanuj Srinivasan Mira Sydow Sheetal Tadiparty Justine Ulrich Morgan White Sravika Yerneni

The Messenger is a student publication published for and distributed to the Northview community. The statements and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the individual writers and do not necessarily reflect those of the entire staff or those of Northview High School, its students, faculty, staff, or administration. Content is edited and controlled by staff editors. The staff will publish only legally protected speech, adhering to the legal definitions of libel, obscenity, and the invasion of privacy.

LETTERS TO THE EDITORS The Messenger staff welcomes letters to the editors but reserves the right to edit all submissions for length, grammar, libel, obscenity, and invasion of privacy.

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IN THIS ISSUE

Cover design: Tarun Ramesh and Maggie Brenan

MANAGING EDITOR Sally Pan Amanda Beard

SPORTS EDITOR Will Claussen

FEATURES EDITOR Nithya Mahakala

OPINIONS EDITOR Jack Lowrance

ONLINE EDITOR Sarika Temme-Bapat

BUSINESS MANAGERS Evan Moody Joseph Ni

ADVISER Chris Yarbrough

contents 05

TARUN RAMESH

KATIE ARMSTRONG MEGAN CISTULLI

MAGGIE BRENAN SARIKA TEMME-BAPAT

STAFF

AKSHAY NAIR

ALEX PERRY RAMANUJ SRINIVASAN

EDITORâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S LETTER

MONTHLY BRIEFS

SPORTS BRIEFS

JOE JONES

OPINIONS

FACEOFF

JOSEPH NI

SHASHANK GANESHAN

STAFF

DAVID LEAVING

ATHLETE PROFILE

STAFF EDITORIAL

19 *

SRUTI SAJJA MORGAN WHITE

AMANDA BEARD SHERRY LIANG

JACK LOWRANCE

SUCHITA KUMAR BEN MINDER

SARIKA TEMME-BAPAT

STAFF

TEACHER SHADOWING

CCRPI

TITAN OF THE YEAR

FOOD REVIEW

THE LOW DOWN

COLUMNS

THE MESSENGER | 3

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

Molding the Man

he very first prompt on the Common Application asks for a background or interest that defines the student. However, it has yet to be seen whether or not these admissions officers really care about your defining interests, or whether they are simply looking to see whether or not you fit their preexisting mold. They have created an image; a student which some algorithm has pumped out to have the highest probability of return contribution to the school. Especially towards the very top of rankings, these private companies hope to reward the shareholders, faculty, and administration with greater accesses to better resources. Of course this— at some level— trickles down to students, but for the few who benefit, many more are sacrificed for an extra 0 in a spreadsheet. However in multiple situations, the drive for that highly coveted acceptance letter forces compliance with a cookie cutter representation of what a college desires. Furthermore, the culture produced by this cut throat competition prides selfishness over relationships. Of course, many students are accepted based on their passion and interest in a multitude of mediums, but vast numbers still chart their journey through high school based on what they believe will aid them on that fateful college application. If this problem existed solely on the student’s side, the issue would not be so prevalent in our high school environment. How-

ever, colleges reward a culture of suppressed passion and heightened conflict. With forums like College Confidential, this aura of negativity gets amplified in an echo chamber of unrealistic expectations. This deep disillusionment in the college process seems to manifest itself in various health issues from depression and anxiety to weekly stomach aches and daily migraines. Additionally, their label of non-profit disguises a company that compiles the most extensive file on each applicant’s life. From tax returns to social security numbers, colleges have access to vast swaths of insights into our personal lives. With advanced consumer marketing, these same companies— with a plethora of information— are able to advertise personally and depict their own institution as the Garden of Eden. Greater applicant numbers lead to a lower acceptance rate which in turn propels the college into a more prestigious position. This cycle of compliance and profit cannot change unless students make an effort at the micro level to addresses the culture around them. This drive to nowhere victimizes applicants and their family and traps them within the mantra of college as the ultimate determinant of success. Such a mindset only fits within a profit motivated self-fulfilling prophecy. The Common Application may ask for uniqueness, but it wants more of the same.

Tarun Ramesh, Editor-in-Chief

THE MESSENGER | 5

NEWS

IN BRIEF 10/9

The film La La Land (Ryan Reynolds and Emma Stone) premiered December 9 and exceeded expectations in theaters along with winning many awards at the Golden Globes

9/25

PTA’s Reflections competition is a countrywide art competition with different categories in the six art areas, including literature, music composition, photography, visual arts, film/video, and choreography/dance. Students from Northview high school participated in the senior skill level with the theme this year being “What is Your Name?” Reflecting on the common theme, students create original works of art in the categories to win the competition. Submissions are looked over by the PTA and reviewed by experts in the arts field. Judges look for the participants’ interpretations on the program theme that exemplify creativity and skill as a determining factor to win and place well.

1/8 Jimmy Fallon hosts the 74th annual Golden Globes Awards show

1/20 Presidentelect Donald J Trump is inaugurated

The Messenger’s monthly digest of events at Northview and around the world

1/19

The state Beta Convention, also known as Beta Con., in which schools across the state of Georgia send students to compete in academic and art events, is held annually. The events are organized as a school versus school competition in which Northview tends to perform extremely well. “The convention is a great way for schools to get to know each other and to foster the beta spirit of scholarship and community service.” president of the Beta Club, Bill Zhang, said. There are many academic events, including math and science, and as well as art events such as colored pencil drawing and recyclable art. There is also a special talent competition which we will participate in with our dance team.

10/27-10/28 Carrie Fisher dies on December 27 at the age 60. Her mother died the next day at the age of 84 from a heart attack

1/9 The Clemson Tigers beat Alabama in the National Championship College Football Game THE MESSENGER | 7

NEWS

David Departs

Joe Ni/STAFF

Northview’s first and only Latin teacher leaves to pursue his business JOE NI, BUSINESS MANAGER

ast semester, Northview bade farewell to Neal David, the sole Latin teacher since the school’s inception. David was active in both intra and extra curricular activities, handling Latin 1 to AP Latin in school while sponsoring Northview’s competitive Latin club outside of school. After meeting increasing success with his personal tutoring company, The David Academy, he decided to leave the school to pursue his business fulltime. A native of the small town Byron, Georgia, David acquired an undergraduate degree in Latin at the University of Georgia and a masters in education at the University of Tennessee. In his free time, he enjoys exploring languages, reading, and listening to rock and roll music. His interest in Latin emerged in his childhood, when, as the inquisitive sixth of seven kids, he wore his parents down until they resorted to redirecting him to the dictionary. In digging through dictionaries, he discovered that many words possessed Latin derivatives, sparking an interest that he later pursued in high school and eventually college. David joined Northview before it even opened. As the only Latin teacher, he was instrumental in creating and nurturing Northview’s Latin program. Reflecting on his time as a teacher, he emphasized that the students made up the best part. “I loved working with the students. In the classroom itself was amazing; it was always very fun.” David said. “The electricity of providing [students] with the romance of education, the romance of loving something

--that to the outside world, probably seems very impractical-- but to those who understand, is the most practical thing I’ve ever studied. I love doing that.” He passionately recounted phenomenons he and his students coined as “Latin moments,” where his students would suddenly make connections between Latin and something outside of class that had previously lacked context or sense. David illustrated a “Latin moment” with Star Wars : in The Empire Strikes Back, Luke gets taken to the

“Mr. Dav i d i ns pi re d a l ove fo r La ti n i n m e .” - Ath a rv M a ra th e swampy planet of Dagobah, where shriveled-up old Yoda leads him to a dark terrible cave to meet his father Darth Vader. When his class was reading book six of the Aeneid, they found that Aeneas, the founder of the Roman people, was also led by a shriveled up prophetess in a cave to meet his father in the underworld. David defines that excited “aha” moment as a Latin moment. He adds that, Star Wars, like many other texts, possesses many plot elements loosely based on Roman history, and emphasizes that a Latin education allows for a whole new paradigm in viewing the world through connections.

“Mr. David inspired a love for Latin in me.” Senior Atharv Marathe said. “I really enjoy the subject and I love just looking up Roman Mythology just to read the stories.” David also proudly recounts his extracurricular work with Latin Club. The club would participate in local certamen --Latin for struggle-- competitions, where kids would compete in a quiz bowl style game based on Latin mythology, texts, culture and more. The club also featured arts contests and oratorical contests, with winners going up to state and nationwide competitions as far as Massachusetts and North Dakota. Despite his love for teaching, Mr. David decided to pursue his business because of low teacher pay. His styles his company, the David Academy, as a one stop educational consulting company. It offers tutoring for the SAT and ACT as well as college coaching and, of course, Latin tutoring. After watching his students’ parents write $1200 checks for a three day competition at Harvard, he realized that, with a teacher’s salary, he would never be able to afford to send his children to do something similar. “I can get busy living, or I can get busy complaining.” David said. “I decided I was gonna start this business and be more financially stable for my family.” His presence will be missed at the school. Principal Brian Downey is currently conducting a nationwide search for a new teacher while current Latin students contend with various virtual learning programs. “[David] built our Latin program,” Downey said. “He set a high standard.”

NEWS

Making a Market

The Northview marketing class opens a school store to enhance their learning and provide as real world experience. SRAVIKA YERNENI AND ANIRUDDHA GUPTA, STAFF WRITERS

fter five years of extensive research and planning, Katie Morgan and her students have opened up the school store that they have dreamed of in the former literary magazine room. The previously-unutilized magazine room has been transformed into a bustling college-like bookstore which carries all of a student’s needs from birthday balloons to pencils. The mini bazaar invites customers inside with the smell of food and school products. “Several years ago when I was teaching Marketing, I wanted something for students to apply knowledge they were learning in classroom, real work based experience,” Morgan said. “I wanted to actually make an actual brick and mortar store that students can walk into with a college bookstore feel instead of just a to-go school supply store.” A few years back, Northview had a small kiosk in the cafeteria that only carried a few school supplies,which was the root of inspiration to open an actual brick and mortar store. The marketing class’s next venture was the very successful morning coffee shop which funded the school store with

the profits. After figuring out how business worked and generating funds from the coffee shop, the class’s dream became a reality. Now students have an actual school store they can enter and buy their favorite snacks, school apparel, and birthday balloons. For lunch, customers can snag a cup of ramen or freshly made rice with sauce. Chips and cookies are also available and the popularity of the food products has led the school store to consider expanding their edible products line. “We want to expand our product line soon,” senior Macy McKinley said. “We are selling our rice, ramen, and cookies currently. I also want to add windbreakers soon. Those are the things that will help us start to generate revenue so we can reinvest into other products for the store.” Students in Morgan’s marketing class are in fact responsible for running the store daily,while Morgan supervises. The senior most students advise the younger classmates and act as managers,while classmates in lower levels of marketing handle the money, run errands and watch the floor.

“I wanted th e m to use the k now l e dge from th e class ro o m in a real bu si ne s s envi ronmen t” -Katie Mo rg a n

Although there seems to be a lot going on in the store,there is more behind the scenes in Morgan’s room where students are busy making posters,deciding prices and going over logistics. The successful project seems to be the perfect learning opportunity as it combines real life skills with applying knowledge from textbook. “I wanted them to use the knowledge from the classroom in a real business environment,” Morgan said. The class has always had many projects involving the aspects of running a business,like surveying the student body and making advertisements .Now that the store is functioning, the results after many years of hard work and dedication are shining through. “I use the [marketing] terms all the time and all the projects we have done usually goes into the school store or the coffee shop,” McKinley said. Customers flock to the school store during lunch to pick up a cup of ramen and rice, two of the school store’s best sellers. The money earned will allow the school store to carry new food options in the future. The success of the school store brings new possibilities for students looking to become involved in managing the store. As the school store has gained popularity,so has the marketing class. “I love the rice,” sophomore Carson Greenberg said. “I want to take marketing next semester.”

THE MESSENGER | 9

Shadows on the Wall

NEWS

Teachers get a different lens on Northview through student MORGAN WHITE AND SRUTI SAJJA, STAFF WRITERS

he concept of being trailed around by a teacher or administrator can leave a student with uneasy and anxious emotions. Despite the onset of negative emotions, the intention is meant to convey quite the opposite. Shadowing a student has, in fact, been a procedure advocated by a national organization, The Shadow a Student Challenge, which places the focus not on the student, but teachers instead. The goal of this process is meant to evaluate the teachings and expectations of various classrooms in a much more casual environment. “Honestly, it was just like a normal day. [Principal Downey] was just like a normal student. It wasn’t anything weird,” Senior Connor Rasler said. By following a student and partaking in their daily activities, teachers and administrators are able to observe students’ lives through a different lens. “We have a lot of teachers, 15 to 18 so far, who have shadowed a student this year. Within that, we’ve done [shadowing] in chunks, with a few teachers who do it at the beginning of the year; I did it with another

group of teachers recently,” Principal Brian Downey said. “Within those different experiences, we have tried to insure schoolwork that we have selected a good representathat deteriorates tion of all the types of students.” from ‘busy work.’ Each teacher is paired with a unique “ I would, in theory, student, who they follow around for a sinlove for every adult in this buildgle day after receiving both parent and stuing to do it,” Downey said. “ In dent permission. This allows each teacher reality that is probably next to imto have a different experience as no two possible to accomplish but if I can get students have the same class schedule, as close to that as possible it would be giving multiple perspectives on a stugreat.” dent’s day. While one teacher may be Despite numerous positive outpaired with a student taking all comes there are still several AP courses, another teacher variables that limit the shadmay be paired with a stuowing process. While this dent taking all on-level helps improve the learncourses. However, the ing environment, teachWe went in with the lens of teacher-student pairers lose class time which ‘just be a student’ and if the ing is not necessarily could have a negative kids are taking notes, I’m taking at random. The most impact. In spite of notes. If the kids are taking a effective shadowing the teacher’s absence, quiz, I am taking the quiz.” processes have been a budgetary aspect - Brian Downey done when the teacher plays a role in having already have a relationship to pay for a substitute with a student. teacher. A balance then “I mean, I’ve been close with has to be created in order to Downey for a while because I’m a senior implicate a number of shadowing now,” Rasler said. opportunities while still falling in This lowers the potential tension of side a budget. being followed by a teacher and allows for “Sometimes we don’t a more effective learning environment. appreciate the total workTeachers then play the role of the student load that you guys exand go about their day as if they were in perience especially each specific class. the upper level “We went in with the lens of ‘just be a classes which student’ and if the kids are taking notes, is most of I’m taking notes. If the kids are taking our stua quiz, I am taking the quiz,” Downey dents,” said. Downey After the day is complete, s a i d . teachers complete a debriefing ac“ W e tivity to give feedback on what they know that learned throughout the day, laying our stuthe groundwork for potential fudent body ture modifications to ensure a betis under a lot ter learning process for the student of stress from body. The faculty found that this proa variety of differcess keeps teachers more grounded and ent reasons some of open-minded to the difficulties regarding which we can control, the stressful workload students face daily; that’s been the biggest take helping to maintain a focus on meaningful away.”

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THE MESSENGER | 11

Ready to Roll Northview scores high in the College and Career Readiness Index BEN MINDER AND SUCHITA KUMAR, STAFF WRITERS

orthview High School has long been known for its over achieving students and hard working students, proven through outstanding SAT scores and now, the College and Career Readiness Percentage Index, or CCRPI, score: 101.2. The CCRPI score is on a 100 point scale which Northview managed to score above of. Northview has scored higher than the majority of high schools in the state of Georgia, indicating that Northview is an exceptionally performing high school. “As a student, it produces a sense of

students missing more than 6 days of school

58%

pride that Northview exceeded the scores of all other public high schools in Georgia,” Student Council President Austin Meng said. “It is a strong sign that we, as a school, are succeeding overall.” The CCRPI score is broken down into three components: achievement, progress, and achievement gap. Achievement is the analyzation of test scores, such as EOCs. Progress represents how well Northview students did compared to other kids across the state, and gap is underperforming student subgroups through methods of improvement that are offered

CCRPI :

to them. There are a total of 17 categories within Achievement, in which overall Northview scored 48.7 points out of a possible total of 50. Progress is primarily based on End Of Course test scores. The difference between EOC scores per academic year is observed in order to determine if each student is progressing at a stable pace, and to analyze if Northview students performed better than other kids in other schools. The EOC has four categories for scoring, such as Proficient and Advanced. Each level awards the student a certain number of points. For example,

College and Career Readiness Performance Index

95.4%

of Northview students graduate within 4 years

NEWS

Beginning level is equal to zero points. The number of students with a high number of points contribute more towards the Achievement score. “We had many exemplary students who scored very high,” Principal Brian Downey said. “Our score puts us in the top ten high schools in the state.” Progress mainly shows the effect that any high school has on education, creating an importance to score as highly as possible in this category. “Our goal was to have the benchmark at 75% of kids in high growth category, and we had 75.7%,” Downey said. Next is Achievement gap, usually the

77%

lowest quartile. This category highlights the gap between the typically performing kids and a less than average students, and what Northview is doing to bring up all their students to the same standard. Northview generated a score of 10/10 in this category, illuminating the school’s ability to enhance academic progress. After adding up all the points from each of the three categories, schools are given bonus points for certain characteristics that may be optional but also improve their performance. Northview obtained challenge points for GPAs over a 100 and for PBIS. Another big contributor towards our CCRPI score is graduation rate. This takes

of Northview graduates earning credit with AP or other advanced courses

into account how many students did or did not graduate on time per year. In last year’s graduating class, 95.4% of the class graduated on time, another feat rare in public high schools. Northview’s CCRPI score signifies its intelligent students and their readiness for college. Students are well-prepared by their teachers to excel in a college environment, upholding Northview’s tradition to exceed expectations. “Our high score shows that not only do our students perform at the top of the charts, but our school has built a climate that values and supports those achievements,” Assistant Principal Susan Walker said.

100%

of students meeting subgroup goals

Johns Creek Chattahoochee Milton Alpharetta

93.6%

99.3%

Northview

101.2%

95.9%

Cross County Comparison *all statistics based on 2016 data

THE MESSENGER | 13

SPORTS IN BRIEF Northview’s winter sports wrap up after a long season KATIE ARMSTRONG AND MEGAN CISTULLI, STAFF WRITERS

SWIM AND DIVE

oth the Northview boys and girls swim teams are off to a successful start to the season. With leadership on the girl’s side displayed by Gracie Clough, Isabelle Bray, and Michelle Cho, and on the boy’s side from Cade Auerbach and Drew Whitmoyer, the team has been prominent at local meets. Nearly a dozen swimmers have already reached state cut times. “The boys and girls are doing really well, and with all the great swimmers we have, we are looking for a good show for the state meet this year,” head coach Anthony Cianciola said. Cianciola has run into issues in regards to conducting productive morning practices, as the bulk of the team are year round swimmers. With the lack of leaderships in the practices, some of the younger or less experienced swimmers don’t get as much work in as their more experienced counterparts. Both the girls and boys relays have been the most successful races so far this season, and

have the times to place well in the State meet. “The meets are always nice to win, but they are kind of formality, just to get as many kids qualified like their events for the state meet, we try to get as many as we can for the state meet in February,” Coach Cianciola said.

WRESTLING

he boys wrestling team is doing better than they expected with such a young team. The loss of twelve seniors last year was a devastating blow for the program. This year, the team struggles not only with their age, but with their challenge to find a strong leader that will rally the team and bring them together during this year of rebuilding.

“I have Simon Schuster and Gabriel Garcia. They were here when the seniors were here, so they got that leadership experience from them,” head coach John MacDonald said. The hope is that these sophomores’ skill and leadership will carry the team throughout the season. With only four juniors, the team is mainly made up of sophomores and freshman. “Gabe and Simon lead the practices because they are the captains. They push us to work harder everyday,” junior Drew Stidwell said. The Northview boys wrestling team has to push through this rebuilding season in order to have brighter seasons in the future. Once the underclassmen move up and have more experience, the team will have a more solid foundation with which to amass match and tournament wins.

Far left: Senior Arnold Wang practices his breaststroke Left: Two athletes wrestle at practice Right: Senior Zane Patel shoots a freethrow against Chattahoochee Below: Sophomore Makayla Davis guards a player from Woodstock

GIRLS BASKETBALL

he Lady Titans Basketball Team is off to a record start with a record of 13-3. With the best team tin school history, they played in a tournament over Winter Break in which some of the best teams in the country came to compete. “We competed in the tournament over Christmas and didn’t play too well, but that was kind of the point of the whole tournament. It was to challenge ourselves against really quality opponents and push ourselves,” head coach Chris Yarbrough said. The team has lots of young talent, which has been key to the team’s solid performance. Shannon Titus, one of the team’s key starters, just passed the 1000 career point mark, a feat only matched by two other players in Northview history. With lots of potential and wins to back them up, there is a lot of optimism for a deep run into the State Playoffs.

SPORTS

BOYS BASKETBALL

ith an overall record of 5-11, the boys’ basketball team has the potential to get at least eight game wins, which would match their win record last year. Head coach Steve Bombard remarks on how this season could be better, but it also could be worse. All of the brand new players have had a big impact on the record thus far. “There are a lot of new players. Joseph Jones is new, Judah Woods is new, Ousman Cambi is new, and even Justin Brown is new because he was not here last year,” Bombard said. Injuries on the team have also been another issue this season. Wake Forest commit for baseball, Dj Poteet, has been out for the last three weeks with a foot injury. He previously brought size and rebounding to the team, since he is one of their biggest players.

The team agrees that they need more chemistry and movement on the floor. There needs to be more passing in order to establish better offensive looks so that they can have better percentage shots when they are neck and neck with their opponents. “The ball doesn’t move around as much as it should. We have multiple scorers on the team that don’t tend to score as much as they should,” junior Ian Ricks said. Since the 2014-2015 season amassed a total of only three wins, and the 20152016 season amassed a total of only eight wins, the boys basketball team looks to improve their record yet again this season by beating last season’s record and setting the precedent for more wins in the future.

THE MESSENGER | 15

Jumping Through Hoops Northview’s boys basketball receives a new player from St. Louis, but GHSA eligibility poses as issue AKSHAY NAIR, STAFF WRITER

Evan Moody/STAFF

he Northview boys basketball team acquired a prominent new member this season, and his dominant presence on the court is largely felt by teammates and coaches alike. Sophomore, Joseph Jones, propelled his way into the varsity team with his immense ball skills and athleticism. However, he was close to not playing for the Titans this year due to complications regarding his eligibility. Rather than relocating to Georgia with his parents which is a bona fide move, Jones chose to live with his oldest sister, Christina Johnson, who resides in Johns Creek. Johnson is not his legal guardian; instead she acts as his temporary guardian. The Georgia High School Association (GHSA) rules states that temporary guardianship is not sufficient enough to allow for a student athlete to be eligible to play varsity sports for an entire year after moving. However, after realizing Jones’s potential for the team, athletic director Scotty McDaniel sought to grant his eligibility from GHSA. In the process of achieving Jones’s eligibility, McDaniel placed a hardship appeal to the GHSA to try and gain their approval for Jones. After the appeal was placed, McDaniel was required to write a letter to the GHSA executive officer,

SPORTS

who would decide if Jones could play basketball this year. “I had to contact GHSA to set up a hardship, an appeal, which means there’s circumstances that are surrounding this that substantiate why we’re doing this and why he should be eligible to play, and in doing so I wrote a letter, and so did his sister detailing the situation,” McDaniel said. “Once the letter was submitted, basically I got notification that the letter was enough, and the executive director signed off on it and said he was eligible to play.”

The circumstances regarding Jones move r e v o l v e around issues in his home life. Two years ago, his father passed away which left him with no positive role model or anyone to look up to at home. His mother is battling substance abuse while his grandmother was struggling to cope with the demands of taking care of a teenager. After his other sister left for college, Jones was the only child at home and he would Evan Moody/STAFF often leave for days at a time not wanting to come back. After he came to visit Johnson this past summer, the unfortunate situations prompted her to become his primary caretaker. She knows that being 28 and taking care of a teenager is not ideal, but she did not want him to grow up in unstable conditions. “St. Louis is a rough city as we all know and we as a whole [family] thought it would be best for him to move in with me so he could be in a more stable environment. He was tired of what was going on at home I just wanted to give him

a fair chance at life and relieve the stress. It’s definitely not easy being young and just getting stable myself to take on this of responsibility taking care of a teenage but that’s what you do for the ones you love,” Johnson said. For Jones, basketball is not only a passion that he has pursued since childhood, but is also a way to remember his family back home and his father. “Basketball is my favorite sport; it’s a family sport. Everyone in my family played it; my mom played it, my dad played it, so I decided to play it when I was four years old, and I just continued on from there,” Jones said.

quick facts Shooting Guard 7.9 points per game 2.4 rebounds per game 2.8 assists per game

THE MESSENGER | 17

highlights

profiles Cade Auerbach, 12

n the fall semester, Cade Auerbach committed to the University of Alabama swim team, an accomplishment that has taken a lifetime of hard work and practice to achieve. Auerbach’s rigorous training includes nine practices a week, which adds up to 20 hours in total per week, a routine he has been following since he was 12 years old. Even

prior to that age, he practiced 12 to 15 hours per week. Auerbach and both his teammate, senior Drew Whitmoyer, and swim coach, Coach Cianciola, agree that Northview has been an important factor in his growth as not only a swimmer, but a well-rounded individual as a whole. Auerbach believes that his coaches have been critical to his development in more than just swimming and cherishes that swim has allowed him to interact with people who normally he would not have had a chance to meet. Cianciola notes that Auerbach is an exceptional, serious student, with numerous academic honors and accolades, and attributes his success in the classroom to Northview’s high-achieving standards. In addition to performing well in studies, Whitmoyer sees that Northview’s biggest impact on Auerbach was shaping him into a superior individual. “ The coaches here are great people that have really influenced me inside and outside of pool. I think that’s going to be really good going forward with my NCAA career and my life,” Auerbach said. Auerbach’s impact on the swim team is unparalleled not only because of his multiple school records and his second place at state in relays but also because of his leadership. Cianciola specifically references Auerbach’s diligence and hard work he puts into not only his training but any task he takes up. His persistence to constantly push his limits and aspiration to get increasingly better each day has been a positive influence on all his teammates, particularly the underclassmen. Auerbach sees one of his important roles on the swim team as being a role model for other swimmers to help them realize their potential and push themselves to higher levels. Whitmoyer believes that he has done exactly that: set the bar high for underclassmen, giving them a glimpse of what hard work looks like and how it pays off in the pool.

Committed to the University of Alabama

Top 15 Recruit in G eorgia Top 100 in the nation for 200yard butterfly event “ He wants to teach people, help them improve, and grow as a person with them. He’s not going to just teach them swimming. He’s going to be their friend. They are going to grow together,” Whitmoyer said. When looking back at his four years swimming for Northview, more than anything, he cherishes the team moments that occur during the relays. Specifically last year when they placed fourth in the state and break state records, the team really came together as one, creating a close bond he will never forget. Cianciola and Whitmoyer see his tenure as a motivation and boost for coming years in the swim program. Both agree that, without a doubt, Auerbach will thrive in college both academically and athletically because of his diligent and dedicated character which has only gotten stronger over the years. “ [He is] one of the guys i can go to if I need anything to get done. He has all the qualities that a great student athlete has,” Cianciola said.

1 SARAH DARLING

f e at u r e s

AMANDA BEARD, NEWS EDITOR AND SHERRY LIANG, STAFF WRITER

THE MESSENGER | 19

Titan of the year, Sarah Darling, embo dies the qualities that define what it means to b e a Titan, setting an example for both her students and the entire school

s a young girl, Sarah Darling’s passion and excitement for learning guided her in deciding to become a teacher. While other kids played tag or dodgeball with their friends, Darling played school, inviting her younger neighbors as students and teaching them fractions on her Fischer Price chalkboard easel, a concept she had barely mastered as a first grader. As she got older, her aspirations only solidified, and under the aid of her AP Language teacher at Northview High School, Lonna Upton, she was inspired to teach Language Arts. Her whole life, Darling exhibited an innate ability to connect with students; whether they were pre-schoolers or high schoolers, she always managed to establish an unparalleled student-teacher bond, an innate ability Literature teacher Tania Pope can attest to. “She’s extremely well-read, and is able to bring contemporary thinking and experience to her teaching, which I think really connects with her students,” Pope said. Darling’s unusual position of being both a previous Titan and a current teacher is especially evident in her style of teaching, with a certain compassion Principal Brian Downey believes is what makes her the ideal role model for other teachers and students. “When I’m look[ing] to hire, really the qualities I am looking for more than anything else are smart and nice,” Principal Brian Downey said. “If you can live that everyday, I think that would certainly make y o u

qualified to be a titan, or in this case, ‘Titan of the Year’.” Darling’s dedication to fostering a welcoming environment is not overlooked by her students, who contributed to her nomination as Northview’s Titan of the Year. For Darling, compassion is a defining quality of a Titan, a characteristic she works to replicate daily in her classroom, as an escape for the students from the persistent and impending stress of school. “It can be hard [...] for students to feel like they can accomplish things and that they can do well,” Darling said. “I’m here to give them positive reinforcement.” While her efforts in the classroom are demonstrated effectively by the environment Darling has created, her diligence as a teacher goes far beyond the walls of the classroom as she recently returned to graduate school to pursue a higher education. Last semester, Darling revived her role as a student by simultaneously juggling graduate school and teaching. Balancing both meant giving up her free time and sleep, but while Darling could have easily slacked off in the classroom, she began to integrate both her graduate school’s course and her classroom material, enhancing the tenth

“Being able to see them enjoying books again .has been the most rewarding thing” -Sarah Darling 20

grade Literature curriculum and challenging her students with collegiate level thinking. Darling not only looks to inspire

“I never see her not smiling at her students” -Matthew Kim

her students, but also sees her classes as an outlet for inspiration. As last semester drew to a close, she invited her 10th honors students for a round-table discussion to help brainstorm ideas for her term paper that incorporated the “In Cold Blood” curriculum her students were currently studying. Although it was not for extra credit, 15 students showed up during both lunches for the sake of helping out. Sophomore Nadean Ali participated in the conference and noted the trust and respect Darling has for her students. “The fact that what we said was being included into her paper made us have

confidence,” Ali said. “It made us feel as though what we said was worthwhile.” The respect Darling has for her students is reflective of the impact teaching has on her life. Acting as a helpful support system, Darling finds comfort in knowing her students are under the same kind of stress she is, creating a closer atmosphere amongst the students where literature plays a stronger role in the teenagers’ lives. “Being able to see them enjoying books again just because of something I did or an environment I’ve set up has been the most rewarding thing,” Darling said. Her influence as a teacher permeates well beyond her current classes. At the beginning of all of her classes, students new and old line up at her desk to talk to her. Some come to ask for advice about anything from personal life to college, while others come simply to chat as friends. Senior Matthew Kim is one of Darling’s most frequent visitors, although two years have passed since he had her as a teacher. “Every time I come visit, I’ve never seen her not smiling at her students, which speaks volumes about her genuine compassion and attention she pays to each and every one of her students,” Kim said. “I think it’s awesome that she’s getting recognized as Titan of the Year.” While Darling continues to pursue higher aspirations going into graduate school, her passion is just as genuine as it was when she was a first grader, now standing in front of a room of high schoolers instead of stuffed animals. Darling’s presence exudes positivity, and her zeal for teaching Literature inspires her students and other teachers everyday as a shining example of what it means to be a Titan.

2.B

Leilani Tian

eing a senior at Northview High School requires an infinite amount of multitasking, precise time-management and an ability to fight through sleep deprivation; a

Leilani Tian/SPECIAL

lifestyle all too familiar to senior Leilani Tian. Her ability to excel in the arts, academics, and athletics distinguishes her as a role model for her peers, while her dedication to pursuing the standout qualities of a Titan contributed to her nomination for Titan of the Year. Tian demonstrates herself as an active member of the Northview community by taking part as a member on class council, organizing and winning the homecoming pep rally skit her junior year, putting together International Night with the Kaleidoscope

THE MESSENGER | 21

nitely going to join some student dance groups and possibly minor in dance because it’s such a big part of my life right now,” Tian said. Ashley Farris, a math teacher at Northview, continues to inspire and influence Tian during her last year in high school. Farris was able to witness firsthand Tian’s hard work and dedication in the classroom during Principal Brian Downey’s new initiative, that allows teachers to put themselves in students’ shoes for a day.

“I try to think of how the work I’m doing helps other people so it’s less of a focus on myself and more on others.” -Leilani Tian

club as Vice President and being an ambassador on the Parent Teacher Student Association (PTSA). “There is this culture of stress with Northview students, but I think that’s a result of students just really wanting to achieve,” Tian said. “I think something that helps me is to put the focus outside of myself so when I’m stressed I try to think of how the work I’m doing helps other people so it’s less of a focus on myself and more on others.” While many Northview students are able to balance school and clubs well, a small of handful of those able to participate in a sport can excel. Many of Tian’s dance partners take school online for more time in the studio, unlike Tian, who goes straight from class to practice, which often runs late into the night. “ I definitely hope to use dance to impact the community in college, so I’m defi-

“I’ve never seen her frazzled or unable to focus,” Farris said. “Everyone at Northview does a lot, but she is able to handle it well and still enjoy school and enjoy her friends and enjoy her life rather than being overwhelmed all the time.” Tian is able to fulfill the many roles of a Titan through hard work, dedication and lastly, compassion. She attributes her success to her ability to consistently focus on improving her own progress, taking everything on with a zeal that allows her to succeed. “She has always been a very self motivated and focused girl, but as she matures, she has come to care for others more, pay more attention to others’ needs and help others whenever she can,” Lan Zhang, Tian’s mother, said. In the spring, Tian will graduate and part with the navy and green walls of Northview, but her commitment to fulfilling all of the roles of an exceptional Titan will leave her legacy for future generations of students to follow.

Leilani Tian/SPECIAL

FEATURES

Erin Shin/STAFF Erin Shin/STAFF

Writer’s Digest

The Farmhouse The Messenger’s monthly foo d review SARIKA TEMME-BAPAT, ONLINE EDITOR AND ERIN SHIN, STAFF WRITER

estled between the Ocee Library and Webb Bridge Park, The Farmhouse is attractively situated to begin a day out. And what better way to begin than with freshly made crepes and coffee. The coffee alone is reason enough to frequent the small café, which serves the unique “Counter” Culture brew. The soy cappuccino is delightfully frothy, with a uniquely nutty flavor that distinguishes it from other blends. The black coffee is intensely aromatic and promises to exceed the expectations of even the most choosy coffee drinkers. “The Daisy” is a feel-good crepe if there ever was one. Peaches and bacon fill this perfectly sweet, whip-cream-and-cinnamon-topped comfort food. The Daisy leaves restaurant goers feeling content as only a good brunch can. “The Farmer” is a vegetarian crepe stuffed with spinach, mushrooms and liberal amounts of goat cheese. Unlike cripplingly heavy counterparts at many other breakfast focused restaurants, the portions at the Farmhouse are “just right”, allowing patrons to leave satisfied but not comatose.

Meanwhile, “The Turtle” is an indulgent treat. Decadently filled with caramel and chocolate, it is hard to justify ordering as a breakfast or meal and functions better as a dessert. Among breakfast options, The Farmhouse is relatively pricey considering the comparatively minimal serving sizes. Especially to customers accustomed to over-the-top stacks of chocolate chip pancakes, the very reasonable portions at The Farmhouse will fall short. However, every component of the experience- from the service, to the texture of the crepes themselves and the ingredients used to top them, to the coffee- is obviously high quality, making the experience more than worth the price. The Farmhouse’s service was what truly blew us away. In the area surrounding Northview at the very least, the quality of service simply cannot be beat. The warmth of the employees carries over to the décor, a cozy albeit kitschy mix of wood and what look like flea market finds. With its cozy ambience, fantastic service and failsafe comfort food crepes, The Farmhouse is a new Messenger favorite.

the farmhouse 11705 Jones Bridge Rd b201, Johns Creek, GA 30005 *this article is not sponsored by The Farmhouse

THE MESSENGER | 23

OPINIONS

Shadows That Left a Mark Northview’s new teacher shadowing program is a genuine attemp t at understanding that should not go unnoticed MAGGIE BRENAN, EDITOR-IN-CHIEF

s students, we have been conditioned to jump at the sight of a teacher or administrator sitting among the tiny desks. It surely means trouble -- if your class has been singled out as deserving of an administrative visit, you are certainly in for it. However, the most recent instances of administrators, other teachers, and even the principal himself making personal visits to classrooms was within the context of the newly rolled out shadowing program, in which certain teachers and administrative figures take on the life of a student for a day, following around the student to which they were assigned. In this scenario, there was a certain comfort associated with seeing teachers walking the hallways among the students. It was symbolic of a revolutionary attempt, one in which the adults in our school community took steps towards understanding the massive amounts of stress under which we function on a daily basis. It was a meaningful attempt, yet perhaps not the most effective. However, if I am to attack the shortcomings of the program, I must concede that the places in which the program

is most necessary are the places to which the program cannot venture. The biggest issue with the program is its inability to follow the students through their lives after school. If the purpose of the program is to understand and subsequently aid in the relief of the stress fostered by the competitive environment at Northview High School, then it is of the utmost importance to take into account the laundry list of extracurriculars that a large majority of Northview students attempt to juggle in addition to their academic load. Our lives as represented inside of the classroom merely scratch the surface of the contents of a typical day in our lives. Where it gets interesting is late at night, when we begin to struggle through our homework after hours of sports, or work, or clubs, or debate, or newspaper, or yearbook, or literary magazine. All of that said, I recognize that it is nearly impossible for this program to extend to those lengths. It would be nearly impossible, and also incredibly strange, for Northview’s staff to be able to shadow us to those lengths. I also recognize that it

is highly unlikely that absolutely no mention of a student’s extracurricular activities would be made in the course of an entire day’s worth of conversation. It is more than likely that the teachers participating in this program made every effort to understand these external factors, and that their understanding of our stress and struggle is more all-encompassing than we may think. Lastly, I understand that high school is a difficult time wherever you may attend school. Teenagers are expected to manage a lot, between extracurricular activities, jobs, relationships, school, college applications, etc. No matter the efforts made by our administration, stress will still exist -- which is not the worst thing. Stress (at a healthy amount) pushes us to be our absolute best, and is the reason our school is as prestigious and highly ranked as it is. This shadowing program is a heartfelt attempt by our administration to help where we have indicated that it is needed. It is as close as our administration might ever come to understanding how we function and feel day to day, and it has not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

OPINIONS

Celebrity Autobiographies The trend of celebrity memoirs conflates celebrity worship with literature. S A R I K A T E M M E - B A PA T, O N L I N E E D I T O R

alking into a Barnes and Nobles, shoppers are presented with more books than they could read in a lifetime. Invariably, this involves a mix of self- help how-to’s, fantasy adventures, young adult romances, and historical nonfiction. Recently, however, a new genre has come to dominate the field. Celebrity memoirs, autobiographies, and essay anthologies have become increasingly abundant and give readers a glimpse into the personal lives of the rich and famous. Entertainers such as Betty White, Miranda Sings, Connor Franta, Hannah Hart, Lauren Graham, Ellen DeGeneres, Amy Schumer, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, James Franco, and Anna Kendrick have joined in on the trend. Rob Lowe and Carrie Fischer have published two books about themselves. Mindy Khaling has published three. These often launch up the bestseller list soon after they are published, largely due to the celebrity name that dominates the front cover. However, they are not held up to the same standards of quality books from authors whose books must sell purely based on their own merit, resulting in insubstantial, irrelevant, and loosely organized ramblings. The trend of celebrity memoirs conflates celebrity worship with literature. Largely actors and, more recently, Youtubers are those who write these autobiographies, memoirs, and collections of stories and essays recounting experiences from their personal lives and careers. Few have any background in writing or literature and

many choose to use co-writers and ghost writers. This is not to say that only those with a graduate degree in creative writing or English literature or pursue writing full time can create great art. An artist however, must have a message. A book must be more than talk show entertainment. A memoir must be more than one person’s story; it must encompass some fragment of the universal human experience. But most celebrity authors make a feeble attempt, if any, to reach for a theme broader than themselves, taking advantage of their platform to sell their books while less well known authors struggle to gain recognition for their work. In the first week of the new year, “The Magnolia Story”, about a married couple that stars on their own HGTV show, outsold “When Breath Becomes Air”, a doctor’s account of being diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and living with the knowledge that he is dying. Readers choose what amount to celebrity diaries over the magnum opus of dedicated authors. With daily shows, late shows, and late late shows already giving celebrities every opportunity to divulge interesting and humanizing details from their personal lives, and Youtubers already having a platform devoted to so much unscripted musing, the trend of celebrity biographies appears to be not literature, but merely a continuation of the modern concept of celebrity. Today, celebrities profit from marketing themselves as intensely relatable despite the obvious gap in economic and social status that separates

them from the average person. Titles like “Scrappy Little Nobody”, “The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo”, and “Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and Other Concerns)” reflect attempts by celebrities to be irresistibly relatable, quirky, and lovable. In this sense, celebrity memoirs are far more about branding and celebrity image than creating art, and far more about the author than the message. To be sure, some celebrities attempt to seek out a theme larger than themselves instead of relying wholly on reader interest derived solely from the name on the front cover. For example, Trevor Noah’s memoir addresses issues of race in South Africa during his childhood and Leja Remini’s memoir recounts her struggle with the Church of Scientology. However, many other celebrity autobiographies are published without a clear purpose, other than to profit off the celebrity name. Ellen DeGeneres’s book, “Seriously… I’m Kidding,” is yet another anthology of anecdotes from the personal life of a celebrity, while Jane Lynch’s “Happy Accidents” traces the star’s trajectory to fame. As if what bookstores needed was yet another story in which fulfillment manifests as unprecedented celebrity and wealth. Far from historical figures, whose stories are immortalized as part of the narrative of a nation, or from authors, whose stories pay homage to the moments outside of that narrative, the writers behind this memoir trend are celebrities, cashing in on the popular desire to memorize trivial details about their lives.

THE MESSENGER | 25

faceoff:

Should the government intervene in failing schools?

OPINIONS

yes A L E X P E R R Y , S TA F F W R I T E R

ccording to the Constitution of the United States, the national government is not required to provide education for the nation’s youth. Although Congress formally is not required to, laws are passed to ensure free education for the improvement of general welfare. Although ‘general welfare’ is only mentioned twice in the Constitution, Congress places great importance on education laws and interprets education as falling under this general welfare category, therefore creating a sense of obligation to provide for the United States’ citizens up to a certain point. This ensures that every minor living in the United States has an equal opportunity for an education. However, not every school is equal. To balance this inequality, the government should become more involved with failing schools. While children are given the same chanc-

es of attending school, the level of education these children would receive can vary depending on many factors. Georgia public schools are measured using a test called College and Career Ready Performance Index (CCRPI). The CCRPI test takes in the school’s environment and academic achievements among other criteria, and assigns them a grade, zero to 100, to assess a school’s performance. Georgia schools with a score lower than 70 on the CCRPI test are classified as failing schools. Students that attend these failing schools are at a severe disadvantage because the quality of their public education is proven to be lower than schools with higher scores. Our government cares enough about general welfare to provide equal access to education. They should feel obligated to take the next step and provide an equal education for everyone. This would further level the playing

field by providing students the choice to attend schools with passing CCRPI scores rather than schools with failing scores. Gaps that show up after public schooling between people from schools with different scores could be prevented by laws that require the government to intervene in failing schools. Schools that have consistently scored a failing grade have already proven that they cannot deal with their current situations and should be helped along with government funding or programs designed to improve the school so their scores improve as well. The government aid should act on a caseby-case basis, and work to get the schools back on their feet and over that passing mark. By leveling the playing field and getting more involved in failing schools, the government can improve the standards of education.

no R A M A N UJ S R I N I VA S A N , S TA F F W R I T E R

he purpose of any educational institution is to inform and enlighten the youths of society and create the base for a more stable future. The instant a foundation stops doing that, it should not be allowed to continue, let alone have the government spend valuable resources to help it. Failing public schools should not be provided with government assistance to improve their educational qualities because not only is there a risk of the funding not helping, there is no way to properly regulate the flow of funding. There is pattern found in failing public schools across the United States, that leads to the conclusion that help at the government’s expense never helps these schools succeed. More often than not, revenue earned by schools from the government does not get properly allocated to expanding the school’s resources.

Failing schools in locations such as Chicago and Boston have a pattern of allocating government funds in staff salaries instead of student resources. If the government continues to assist these schools with funding from the Federal Reserve, the only outcome would be wealthier teachers, leaving student success at the same failing rate it had in the beginning. The government could instead use its resources to discontinue failing schools and use the gains from that to create new schools with better infrastructure and resources. The funding required to improve a failing facility has proven to be more than the funding required to close a school and start another. The closing of one school would result in certain economic gains that could be reallocated into the renovation of a new school. Since public schools across the United

States are divided by county, the government would not be able to help one school in particular. The government would fund all schools in one county, and through all of that there is no way of knowing which school gets how much money. So not only is this method of helping public schools ineffective, there is no way of knowing whether it would be properly implemented in the right areas. The most prevalent reason a public school fails is either lack of funding or insufficient staff. Funding from a third source in this scenario is not a guarantee for improvement. While the government might be able to fund schools, it would not be able to help with staff issues. Government resources could be allocated in a better manner by forming better schools in the area all together and making sure to hire better staff.

THE MESSENGER | 27

OPINIONS

STAFF EDITORIAL

Technological Revolution

ith the internet of things slowly infiltrating every facet of our homes, from Amazon echo to the drone craze, technological advancements have slowly outstripped human adaptation. This rapid proliferation of technology brings new opportunities and advancements to society, but the evolving future of science blurs the lines of morality and ethics. Risking the ability to differentiate between right and wrong severely compromises basic foundations of human society and could potentially disrupt traditional value systems. Genomic sequencing and DNA research have yielded tremendous benefits in combating diseases and detailing prognosis or treatment options. However, sequencing also reveals aspects of the future that may promote discrimination against an individual. While newborn genetic sequencing is relatively new, its rapid integration into many hospitals means that doctors now have access to information regarding a child’s probability of contracting diseases such as Alzheimer’s, dementia, or late onset cancer. Such a plethora of information begs the question of whether doctors should share this data with patients and other third parties. Children who might have a higher risk of heart disease later in life could garner higher premiums from insurance companies or potential unemployment due to early testing. DNA mutations that alter protein coding could indicate factors of sociopathy, psychopathy, and other criminal related mental health problems. Of course rehabilitation and therapy are options, but should the sequencing warrant enough evidence for surveillance? Fundamental questions over privacy and doctor-patient confidentiality could erode rights or cede unregulated powers to the government. Artificial Intelligence and autonomous machine developments fill sectors of the economy

and outcompete humans, but the implications of fast-moving advancements could threaten employment security. According to the Bureau of Labor, America’s once-premier manufacturing base has depreciated 16% in the last 56 years. The loss of millions of manufacturing jobs in the last decade have presidential candidates like Donald Trump and Bernie Sanders criticizing free trade policies as ceding industrial jobs to low income workers in China or Mexico. However, the problem stems from the increase of AI and autonomous machine manufacturing in the United States, which will slowly make human labor redundant. While macroeconomic indicators like exports would increase, unemployment rates and the associated costs of welfare will sky rocket. Emphasizing the economic prosperity of a nation at the cost of individual’s financial security could augment the rift of income inequality. The drive for economic power could overshadow the ethics of preventing cyclical poverty. Balancing morals with wealth will avert any compromise of human values. As science evolves, ethics must grow alongside with an emphasis on transparency and regulation. Oversight of private companies by governmental agencies could help prevent the use of machines for exploitation while civilian oversight on government could prevent abuse of powers. While the debate over privacy will continue to stir controversy, new bioethical non-discriminatory acts could prevent the private sector from ill-treating cyborgs or individuals with greater risks of health problems. Stringent regulations could safeguard morals, but informed citizens and transparency at all levels are necessary. Unless we impose ethical restrictions now, the future will be ripe with Terminatoresque automatons that will threaten the globe.

COLUMN

THE LOW DOWN

Wake Up and Smell the Flowers In Northview’s pursuit to reduce stress on campus, a crucial factor lies forgotten.

JA C K LOW R A N C E , O P I N I O N S E D I T O R

t is no secret that Northview can be a very stressful place. Many attribute this to its culture of achievement, unique student body, or its rigorous classes. But there may be something more to it. Often overlooked is the building itself. From its many windowless classrooms to its sterile fluorescent lights, Northview’s facility perpetuates an environment that is counterproductive to endeavors like Community Night and Stress Awareness Week. Stop. Think for a second, about everything that those four brick walls withhold from our lives. The changing of the seasons, the chirping of the birds, the beauty of this land that we call Georgia–– there must be some way to compromise between receiving such a high caliber education, and leading our existence in a way that does not exclude the simpler aspects of living life to the fullest. These two invaluable things should not be mutually exclusive. Sure, one could argue that the school’s courtyard fulfills this need. But take a stroll out there sometime. The temperature may be the same as that of the outdoors, but take a look around, at your feet there is a carpet not of

fiber, but of concrete. There is no glimpse of the rest of civilization, just brick walls. Students are supposed to accept a few measly shrubs and a patch of dirt as ‘nature,’ but, unfortunately, they certainly do not suffice. Studies have shown that classrooms with the most natural daylight and generally better ambience foster academic success. In 1999, the California Board for Energy Efficiency tracked 21,000 students in three different states, and concluded that the level of natural daylight in a classroom affected test scores more than any other factor across the board. Similarly, studies have shown that exposure to nature can decrease stress, boost creativity, and kindness. In a classic laboratory experiment performed by a group of researchers at Texas A&M University, lab participants exposed to scenes of nature after watching a stress-inducing movie were much quicker to recover from that stress than those shown scenes of an urban environment. For some reason, nature is a powerful tool in relieving stress. It seems mind-boggling that high schools, especially Northview, have so poorly utilized it.

The solutions are myriad. Teachers should have the option to hold class outside more often. Maybe students should have an option to eat lunch in outdoor areas other than the courtyard. It would not hurt to brighten up some classrooms with new paint, or windows either. All of these possibilities are within reach, but their value to the educational experience have been overlooked. Now, many will read this piece and point fingers at administrators, the district, or the builders of the school, anyone that seems important, really. This is not some massive conspiracy. It is simply that nobody thinks to change the environment in which learning is being done, because there is such a focus on the learning itself. It is important to remember that the learning experience is not limited to curriculum, but it also includes the delivery of that curriculum as well. At some point students simply cease to remember, or to care, that our school lacks the suitable policy and optimal ambience conducive to learning more organically. We need to talk about these things more. Maybe then, will those in charge wake up and smell the flowers.

THE MESSENGER | 29

music

WILL CLAUSSEN, SPORTS EDITOR

1. Shape of You - Ed Sheeran 2. Bad and Boujee - Migos ft. Lil Uzi Vert 3. Fake Love - Drake 4. Boune Back - Big Sean Januar y Top 5

5. Deja Vu - J. Cole

4 your Eyez Only

George Mic hael

eorge Michael, or Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou, was an English song writer who was best known for his rise to fame in his music duo Wham! During the 1980’s and 1990’s, he was very well known for songs such as “Last Christmas” and “Wake Me Up Before you Go-Go”. With his recent passing in December 2016, many of his hit songs began to resurface and jump back into top charts. His legacy as one of the greatest pop stars of all time lives on through his still popular songs including his eight number one hits.

wo years after his platinum album 2014 Forest Hills Drive, he has returned with 4 your Eyez Only. The deep tracks plunge into personal and societal issues while still keeping the trademark interesting and unique J Cole choruses. He also opted to have a completely solo album by not collaborating with any other artists, which is refreshing to see when it seems that every album being released has too many. The album sat at number one and has been viewed as one of the best of 2016.

fashion

COLUMNS

EVAN MOODY, BUSINESS MANAGER

spotlight on: Calvin Klein

ince 1968, Calvin Klein has played a major role in late teen and young adult fashion. From the jeans, to the shirts, and most commonly known undergarments, Calvin Klein is greatly recognized as one of the most successful clothing brands to this day. Recently big names in the industry such as Justin Bieber and Nick Jonas have been used in advertising to reach out to an younger audience (specifically teens). Due to its popularity, its apparel has a tendency to be quite over priced, but that is to be expected since it is a well known brand. Although, most should come to find that the quality of the material and the overall product itself is very much worth the price. As far as the shirts and jeans, go there are stores that make it easy to mimic the brands clothing’s styles for a fair price, such as H&M and Target. There’s even Calvin Klein Clearance Stores which offer the same clothes they’d sell in a regular store for a discounted rate. Calvin Klein is a quality brand with quality products that you’re sure to love as soon as you touch.

THE MESSENGER | 31

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32 3 2| OPINIONS

m o c . l o o M O h .C c L O S O H p V isitVA C o ISlITltALLTOPS